WRAL Tech Wire

 Novozymes to boost R&D in bioagriculture, biofuel race

Novozymes' new CEO starts on April 1 and he says the world's largest industrial enzymes maker will increase R&D spending agriculture and biofuel projects.

 GSK diabetes drug could deliver big dividend for Novozymes

Novozymes technology promises to increase the active life of the new diabetes drug, meaning type 2 diabetes sufferers could inject once a week instead of daily. Novozymes uses genetically modified proteins that allow GSK to fuse its drug with albumin found in blood serum, fooling the body into accepting the active ingredients that it would normally deem foreign and expel.

Novozymes' facility in Franklinton

 Novozymes to acquire Canada enzyme firm for $67M

Novozymes, which operates its North American headquarters in Franklinton, says it is buying Canada-based Iogen Corporation.

 Mega business overloards new Mega download site

Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom apologizes on Twitter for "poor service" and says a massive launch party - which featured a reenactment of last year's police raid on his mansion - led to huge publicity and huge demand.

Kim Dotcom kicks off new site with huge party

 Novozymes promotes veteran exec to CEO role

Novozymes, which operates its North American headquarters in Franklinton, will have a new CEO as of April 1. Peder Holk Nielsen will succeed long-time CEO Steen Riisgaard.

 Shut down a year ago, file-sharing site Megaupload reborn as Mega

Kim Dotcom, marking one year since his Megaupload.com website was shut down by the U.S. Department of Justice and his home raided by New Zealand tactical squad officers in helicopters, unveils a successor file-storage and sharing site, saying innovation won't be stopped.

Mega's logo

 Novozymes wins $2.5M grant to study turning corn stalks into biofuel

Novozymes, which operates its North American headquarters in Franklinton, N.C., has landed a federal grant for research into how to turn corn stalk and leaves into biofuel.

 Novozymes pays $115M for 10% stake in biofuel firm

Novozymes, which operates its North American headquarters in Franklinton, N.C., is acquiring an ownership stake in an Italian firm and will market, demonstrate and guarantee cellulosic biofuel technology from that company.

 Novozymes, Syngenta partner to market biofungicide

Novozymes and Syngenta strike a deal under which Syngenta will market and sell Novozyme's biofungicide product Taegro.

 Ethanol debate: Ethanol in gas tanks makes food cost more

Anti-ethanol: Record-high corn prices should be sending a clear message to policy makers in Washington: Requiring people to put corn-based fuel in their gas tanks is a bad idea.

Ethanol

 Ethanol debate: N.C. firm defends use of biofuels

Pro ethanol: The head of operations for Novozymes in North America criticizes N.C. Gov. Bev Perdue for seeking a waiver of ethanol requirement from the EPA.

Biofuels

 Is USA going for gold in global bioeconomy race?

Adam Monroe, president of Novozymes North America, says excitement is in the air as the new "bioeconomy" looks to boost domestic growth and jobs while addressing critical societal challenges. But one false start and the race will be lost.

Bioeconomic Stimulus

 Novozymes acquires Merck's crop biotech group for $275M

The deal is the third in the agriculture fertility space in three years for Novozymes, which operates its U.S. headquarters in N.C.

 Red Hat joins battle against patent case at Supreme Court

The world's No. 1 developer of open source Linux software joins Yahoo, eBay, Electronic Arts and other companies in filing brief that argues against a decision that they believe "threatens to expand patent litigation."

 Local Tech Briefs: Cisco reports tandberg is finally a done deal; Novartis shows positive trial data for MS treatment; New chief for Novozymes' Va. unit

 Novozymes reports enzyme breakthrough for biofuel production

The enzyme technology company, which bases its U.S. headquarters in Franklinton, says its new product can turn plant waste into biofuels at prices that are competitive with gasoline. Thirty-three scientists based in N.C. participated in the project.